Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)

It is a pity the Minister, Deputy Reilly, sees it fit to make these announcements to the media rather than to the elected Members of the Oireachtas. In fairness, the Minister has come to this House to deal with agreed legislation but I would like him to discuss, in the House rather than in the media, cuts in hospital services in Sligo General Hospital and others I mentioned.

Every time we hear of another shooting or murder happening anywhere in Ireland it saddens me to raise it in this House. Very sadly, another individual was murdered yesterday in Santry in yet another violent crime. The Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter, has been in the House on a number of occasions, which I welcome. It is important that the Minister should come to the House. This type of murder or shooting is more than prevalent and its occurrence has increased in recent weeks. The Garda is doing its best but I wish to hear if the Minister and the Department of Justice and Equality believe further legislation is required to tackle this scourge.

I offer my sincere sympathies and those of the Fianna Fáil group to the family of the person who lost his life last night.